U.S. patent application number 11/330890 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for desiccant cartridge.
Invention is credited to Daniel F. Kiblawi.
Application Number | 20070157658 11/330890 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38231458 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070157658 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kiblawi; Daniel F. |
July 12, 2007 |
Desiccant cartridge
Abstract
A desiccant cartridge for use with a receiver/dryer of an
automobile air conditioning system. The desiccant cartridge
contains a cup member and a cap. The cap includes a plurality of
fingers located about a periphery thereof. The fingers engage the
cup member to secure the cap to the cup member. The fingers operate
to facilitate insertion of the cap into the cup member using a
one-way lock-type arrangement. Accordingly, pushing the cap
downward into the open end of the cup member causes the fingers to
deflect upward and slide along an interior surface of the cup
member. Upward movement of the cap is limited by the fingers
engaging the interior surface, which hold the cap member in place.
Accordingly, the cap can be inserted into and locks in the cup
member at any position.
Inventors: |
Kiblawi; Daniel F.;
(Farmington Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VAN OPHEM & VANOPHEM, PC;REMY J VANOPHEM, PC
51543 VAN DYKE
SHELBY TOWNSHIP
MI
48316-4447
US
|
Family ID: |
38231458 |
Appl. No.: |
11/330890 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/474 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 2253/106 20130101;
B01D 53/0431 20130101; B01D 2253/112 20130101; F25B 43/003
20130101; B01D 2259/4566 20130101; B01D 53/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/474 |
International
Class: |
F25B 43/00 20060101
F25B043/00 |
Claims
1. A desiccant cartridge for removing moisture from a refrigerant,
said desiccant cartridge comprising: a cup member, said cup member
having an open end, a closed end, a sidewall having an interior
surface and a tubular portion, said tubular portion extending
upward from said base, said tubular portion defining a passageway
through said cup member wherein said tubular portion cooperates
with said sidewall to form an annular chamber within said cup
member; a desiccant disposed within said cup member; and a cap,
said cap having a plurality of fingers located on a periphery of
said cap, said fingers engaging said cup member to secure said cap
to said cup member.
2. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cap
includes a body, said body having upper and lower surfaces and an
outer marginal periphery; a central aperture extending axially
between said upper and lower surfaces; and said fingers located on
said outer marginal periphery of said cap.
3. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 2 wherein said body
is generally planar and said fingers extend at an angle with
respect to the body of said cap.
4. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cap
has a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures providing a
fluid path for refrigerant flow through said cap.
5. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 4 wherein said
apertures include a plurality of slots extending radially outward
from said central aperture.
6. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 4 wherein said
apertures include aid plurality of circular apertures disposed
about said central aperture.
7. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cap
includes a body, said body having upper and lower surfaces and an
outer marginal periphery; a central aperture extending actually
between said upper and lower surfaces, said central aperture
defining an inner marginal periphery; and said fingers located on
said inner marginal periphery of said cap.
8. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 7 wherein said body
is generally planar and said fingers extend at an angle with
respect to the body of said cap.
9. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 7 wherein said cap
has a plurality of apertures therein, said apertures providing a
fluid path for refrigerant flow through said cap.
10. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 9 wherein said
apertures include a plurality of slots extending radially outward
from said central aperture.
11. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 9 wherein said
apertures include a plurality of circular apertures disposed about
said central aperture.
12. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 3 wherein the angle
at which said fingers extend with respect to the body of said cap
is in the range of 20.degree. to 60.degree..
13. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of
said fingers includes an edge, said edges engaging said cup member
to secure said cap to said cup member.
14. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 1 including said
cap having a plurality of recesses, said recesses disposed between
said fingers.
15. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 1 including a
plurality of tabs located between said fingers, said tabs
positioned perpendicular to said body and said fingers positioned
at an angle with respect to said body.
16. A desiccant cartridge for removing moisture from a refrigerant,
said desiccant cartridge comprising: a cup member, said cup member
having an open end, a closed end, a sidewall and a tubular portion,
said tubular portion extending upward from said base, said tubular
portion defining a passageway through said cup member wherein said
tubular portion cooperates with said sidewall to form an annular
chamber within said cup member; a desiccant disposed within said
cup member; and a cap having a body including upper and lower
surfaces and an engagement member located on a periphery of said
cap, said engagement member extending at an angle with respect to
the body and having an edge, said edge engaging said cup member to
secure said cap to said cup member.
17. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 16 wherein said
engagement member includes a plurality of fingers located on an
outer marginal periphery of said body whereby said fingers engage a
surface of said cup member to secure said cap to said cup member;
and a plurality of apertures located in said cap, said apertures
providing a fluid path for refrigerant flow through said cap.
18. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 16 wherein said
surface of said cup member includes an interior surface of said
sidewall.
19. A desiccant cartridge as set forth in claim 16 including a
central aperture extending between said upper and lower surfaces,
said central aperture defining an inner marginal periphery of said
body; and said engagement member including a plurality of fingers
located on said inner marginal periphery of said body whereby said
fingers engage said tubular portion to secure said cap to said cup
member.
20. A desiccant cartridge for removing moisture from a refrigerant,
said desiccant cartridge comprising: a cup member, said cup member
having an open end, a closed end, a sidewall and a tubular portion,
said tubular portion extending upward from said base, said tubular
portion defining a passageway through said cup member wherein said
tubular portion cooperates with said sidewall to form an annular
chamber within said cup member; a desiccant disposed within said
cup member; and a cap having a body, a central aperture, a
plurality of fluid flow apertures and an engagement member located
on a periphery of said cap, said engagement member extending at an
angle with respect to the body and having an edge, said edge
engaging said cup member to secure said cap to said cup member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to a desiccant
cartridge for an accumulator dehydrator or receiver dryer for use
with an automotive air conditioning system. More specifically, the
invention relates to a desiccant cartridge retention system used
with an accumulator dehydrator or receiver dryer.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Automotive air conditioning systems commonly use desiccants
for dehydrating air and refrigerants. In an automotive air
conditioning system, a receiver/dryer device positioned between the
condenser and the thermal expansion valve operates to remove
moisture or contaminants from the refrigerant. In operation, the
refrigerant flows through the receiver/dryer and correspondingly
through the desiccant contained therein whereby the desiccant
performs its intended function of removing moisture from the
refrigerant. During manufacture of the receiver/dryer, the
desiccant is placed and secured within the interior of the
receiver/dryer.
[0007] Different methods and apparatuses for securing the desiccant
within the receiver/dryer are known. Where particulate desiccants
are commonly used, the desiccant is held within the receiver/dryer
in a manner that allows the refrigerant to pass through the
desiccant to remove moisture from the refrigerant while preventing
the desiccant from escaping and contaminating the air conditioning
system. One prior art method of containing the desiccant is by
placing the desiccant in a permeable bag; i.e., one that enables
the refrigerant to pass through while adequately containing or
capturing the desiccant. This permeable bag containing the
desiccant is placed within the receiver/dryer.
[0008] One example of such a system is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
6,309,450 to Millen et al. Millen et al. teaches a pair of fabric
adsorbent units, filled with a suitable adsorbent. The fabric
adsorbent units are placed within the housing of a receiver/dryer.
The adsorbent units are driven against an inner wall of the housing
of the receiver/dryer when sandwiched between a movable grid and an
enlarged frustroconical portion of a tubular member extending
longitudinally along the center axis of the housing. During
assembly, the movable grid slides over the tubular member. A
plurality of downwardly extending serrations on the tubular member
and a plurality of complementary upwardly extending serrations on
the movable grid cooperate to form a one-way ratchet type lock that
secures the moveable grid to the tubular member. Accordingly,
compressing the adsorbent units between the movable grid and the
frustroconical portion of the tubular member, forces them outwardly
against the inner sidewalls of the housing to form a seal whereby
the refrigerant passes through the adsorbent units.
[0009] Using a desiccant bag has several drawbacks. One such
drawback is that the form and shape of the desiccant bag does not
always conform to the canister. The desiccant should extend across
the entire cross-section of the refrigerant path to prevent
refrigerant bypass of the desiccant. In addition, a problem may
arise with adequately sealing the permeable bag to prevent loss of
the desiccant and possible contamination of the system.
[0010] Another method of containing a desiccant is to place a
desiccant in a cartridge or container. Subsequently the desiccant
container is placed within the receiver/dryer or accumulator during
manufacture of the receiver/dryer. For example U.S. Pat. No.
5,580,451 (Tack); U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,204 (Wood); U.S. Pat. No.
5,569,316 (Flaugher et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,087 (Flaugher
et al.) illustrate the use of a container assembly uniformly filled
with a suitable desiccant. The desiccant container typically fits
tightly within the housing of the receiver/dryer to prevent air or
refrigerant from bypassing the desiccant container and ensure flow
of the refrigerant over the desiccant.
[0011] As illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,451 to Tack, the
desiccant is placed within a cup assembly including a cup having an
open upper end, a closed lower end, and a centrally located tubular
portion. After a suitable amount of desiccant is placed within the
cup, a cap is placed in the open upper end to retain the desiccant
within the cup. Both the cap and the closed lower end include a
number of apertures to permit the refrigerant to enter and flow
through the cup assembly. A plurality of axially spaced nibs
located on the inner wall of the cup operate to secure the cap
within the cup. The nibs form a number of discrete detents between
adjacent nibs. Accordingly, the cap locks only at discrete
positions.
[0012] Typically, the amount of desiccant contained in the cup or
container is based on weight such that the amount of desiccant
deposited in a cup or cartridge varies because of variation in
desiccant density. Further, it is desirable to compact the
desiccant to reduce the amount of movement between the individual
desiccant particles. Reducing movement or agitation of the
particles correspondingly reduces desiccant abrasion and breakdown
of the desiccant into smaller particles that may leak into the
system. Accordingly, since the cap will only lock at discrete
positions, there is the possibility that the desiccant will not be
adequately secured within the cup assembly or that too much
pressure is placed on the cap and correspondingly the desiccant to
urge the cap downward to the next or lower discrete locking
point.
[0013] From the above, it can be appreciated that receiver/dryer
assemblies using desiccant containers of various types are not
fully optimized with regard to securing the desiccant within a
desiccant container. Therefore, what is needed is a desiccant
container having a cap that is simple to assemble, reduces material
and manufacturing costs and readily adapts to the level of
desiccant in the container while securely retaining the desiccant
within the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] According to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided an automotive-type air conditioning
receiver/dryer utilizing a unique desiccant cartridge. The
desiccant cartridge includes a cup member having an open end, a
base forming a closed end and an outer wall portion having an inner
surface and an outer surface. The cup member further includes a
tubular portion extending upward from the base. The tubular portion
defining a passageway through the interior of the cup member and
forming an inner wall defining an inner boundary of an annular
shaped chamber located within the cup member between the outer wall
and tubular portion. The annular shaped chamber is filled with a
desiccant. A cap having a plurality of fingers located on a
periphery thereof is received in the open end of the cup member so
that the fingers engage the cup member to secure the cap in place
on the cup member.
[0015] In operation, the cap is pressed downward into the cup
member until it contacts the desiccant and a sufficient force is
applied to properly compact the desiccant. Since the fingers of the
cap engage the cup member, they prevent upward movement of the cap.
The cap operates in a simple push-type one-way lock mechanism that
restricts relative movement of the desiccant within the annular
chamber of the cup member regardless of the fill level of the
desiccant.
[0016] In addition, both the cap and the base of the cup member
have a plurality of apertures that enable flow of the refrigerant
through the cup member and correspondingly the desiccant contained
therein. The size, shape and number of the apertures may vary
depending upon the particular desiccant used.
[0017] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a desiccant cartridge that is readily adaptable to
variations in the fill level of the desiccant.
[0018] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
desiccant cartridge that will be easily assembled while providing a
secure means for holding the desiccant within the desiccant
cartridge.
[0019] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
desiccant cartridge configured for use with a receiver dryer
assembly used in an automobile air conditioning system.
[0020] It is still a further object of the invention to provide a
desiccant cartridge configured for use with an accumulator
dehydrator assembly used in an automobile air conditioning
system.
[0021] These object and other features, aspects and advantages of
this invention will be more apparent after a reading of the
following detailed description, appended claims and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a
receiver/dryer assembly utilizing a desiccant cartridge according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a top view of a cap of the desiccant cartridge
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the cap illustrated
in FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the desiccant cartridge shown
in circle 4 of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a cap
of the desiccant cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 6 is an additional embodiment of a cap of the desiccant
cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the cap illustrated
in FIG. 6; and
[0029] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a further
alternative embodiment of a cap of the desiccant cartridge
illustrated in FIG.1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Referring now in detail to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a
receiver/dryer assembly, seen generally at 10, of a type suitable
for use in an automobile air conditioning system. The
receiver/dryer assembly 10 utilizes a desiccant cartridge 12 in
accordance with the present invention. The receiver/dryer assembly
10 is typically positioned between a condenser and a thermal
expansion valve of an air-conditioning system and operates to
remove moisture entrained in the refrigerant whereby the
refrigerant delivered to the expansion valve is in a liquid phase,
free of moisture.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1 the desiccant cartridge 12 is
located in a tank or canister 14 of the receiver/dryer assembly 10.
As set forth in detail herein, the desiccant cartridge 12 is
assembled and placed within the canister 14 before the canister 14
is welded shut, typically thorough a spin welding process. The
canister 14 is preferably formed from an aluminum alloy that is
sufficiently strong yet formable. Other suitable materials
including plastic or steel may also be used. The canister 14 is
preferably drawn or impacted to initially have an integral closed
upper end 16 and an oppositely disposed temporarily open end that
remains open during manufacture of the receiver/dryer assembly 10.
Subsequently, a spin welding process closes the open end, after
installation of the desiccant cartridge 12, to form an integral
lower end 18.
[0032] The upper end 16 of the canister 14 includes an inlet port
20 and an outlet port 22 extending downward into the interior of
the canister 14. As shown in FIG. 1 the outlet port 22 is centrally
located in the upper end 16 of the canister 14. The inlet port 20
is fluidly connected to a condenser unit (not shown) of the
air-conditioning system. As indicated by the arrows, the
refrigerant enters the receiver/dryer 10 through the inlet port 20
and exits through the outlet port 22 which is fluidly connected to
the thermal expansion valve (not shown) of the air-conditioning
system. An exit tube 24 extends downward into the canister 14 from
the upper end 16 of the canister 14. The exit tube 24 fluidly
communicates with the outlet port 22 and forms a return passage 26
for the refrigerant.
[0033] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the desiccant cartridge 12
holds a desiccant 30, typically particles or beads of a substance
such as calcium oxide or silica gel that have a high affinity for
water. The desiccant cartridge 12 includes a cup member 32 having a
generally cylindrical cross-section and a generally circular cap
34. The cup member 32 is typically a one-piece member having an
open upper end 36, a closed lower end 38, a generally cylindrical
outer sidewall 40 and a centrally located tubular portion 42
forming an inner sidewall 48 that cooperates with the outer
sidewall 40 to define an annular chamber 44 that receives the
desiccant 30.
[0034] The cap 34 includes a central aperture 46 sized to fit over
the tubular portion 42 of the cup member 32. As illustrated, the
cap 34 slides over the tubular portion 42 of the cup member 32 and
into the open upper end 36 of the cup member 32. As set forth
above, the cap 34 is placed in the open upper end 36 and closes or
seals the annular chamber 44 after the desiccant 30 is placed
within the annular chamber 44 of the cup member 32.
[0035] The cap 34 includes a flat or planar body 50 having upper
50a and lower 50b surfaces. A plurality of individual fingers 52
are located on the periphery or outer circumferential edge of the
cap 34. Recesses 54 separate the individual fingers 52 from one
another. In accordance with the invention, the fingers 52 are each
inclined at an angle a (see FIG. 5) from the planar body 50 of the
cap 34. The angle may vary within reasonable limits, but is
preferably within a range from 20.degree. to 60.degree.. The outer
free ends of each of the fingers 52 are preferably provided with
relatively sharp edges or corners 56 enabling the fingers 52 to
bite into the interior surface 58 of the sidewall 40 of the cup
member 32 and thus secure the cap 34 within the cup member 32.
[0036] The cap 34 and the lower end 38 of the cup member 32 both
have a number of apertures located therein. As illustrated in FIG.
2, the apertures are shown as radial slots 68 extending outward
from the central opening 46 of the cap 34. The slots 68 enable
refrigerant entering through the inlet port 20 of the canister 14
to flow through the desiccant cartridge 12 whereby the desiccant 30
effectively absorbs any moisture entrained within the refrigerant.
The refrigerant then flows out through apertures located in the
lower end 38 of the desiccant cartridge 12 into the lower chamber
28 located in the lower of end 18 of the canister 14.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the desiccant cartridge 12 further
includes a pair of filters 72, 74. One filter 72 disposed adjacent
the cap 34 and the other filter 74 disposed adjacent the lower end
38 of the cup member 32. Each of the filters 72, 74 are preferably
formed of a polyester felt material, though other materials and
fabric constructions may be employed. The filters 72, 74 serve to
capture foreign matter entrained in the refrigerant as the
refrigerant flows through the desiccant cartridge 12. Typically,
each of the filters 72, 74 has a defined filter size. The size is
chosen to prevent any desiccant 30 from exiting the desiccant
cartridge 12 while correspondingly filtering debris or particulate
matter from the refrigerant.
[0038] FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate the cap 34 securing a desiccant 30
within the cup member 32. By way of example, the interior surface
58 of the cylindrical outer sidewall 40 of the cup member 32 is a
smooth surface. Accordingly, after moving the cap 34 in position
adjacent the open upper end 36 of the cup member 32, the cap 34 is
pushed downward into the open upper end 36 of the cup member 32.
Pushing the cap 34 into the open upper end 36 causes the fingers 52
of the cap 34 to deflect upwardly a slight distance whereby the
edge or corners 56 located on the free ends of the fingers 52
grippingly engage the interior surface 58 of the outer sidewall 40
of the cup member 32.
[0039] Pushing or driving the cap 34 downwardly into the open upper
end 36 of the cup member 32 until it engages and sufficiently
compresses the filter 72 and desiccant 30 secures the desiccant 30
and prevents or reduces movement of the desiccant 30. Reducing
movement of the desiccant 30 correspondingly reduces abrasion and
subsequent degradation of the desiccant 30 resulting from such
movement. The fingers 52 resist and prevent any upward movement of
the cap 34 towards the open upper end 36 of the cup member 32.
Specifically, any upward force results in a camming or toggle-like
action of the fingers 52 that increases the force on the fingers 52
driving the edges or corners 56 of the fingers 52 further into
engagement with the interior surface 58 of the sidewall 40.
Accordingly, the cap 34 operates as a one-way lock mechanism that
locks the cap 34 at any location along the interior surface 58 of
the sidewall 40.
[0040] Accordingly, the fingers 52 are designed with an
interference fit so as to flex upwardly and slide along the
interior surface 58 of the sidewall 40 of the cup member 32 when
the cap 34 is inserted into the open upper end 36 of the cup member
32 and pushed downward toward the desiccant 30. As such, insertion
of the cap 34 within the cup member 32 involves a simple push-type
operation wherein the cap 34 positively confines the filter 72 and
desiccant 30 within the cup member 32 regardless of the amount of
desiccant 30 located within the annular chamber 44 of the cup
member 32.
[0041] The receiver/dryer assembly 10 described above enables a
refrigerant to flow into the receiver/dryer assembly 10 through the
inlet port 20 at the upper end 16 of the canister 14, where it
initially encounters the cap 34 of the desiccant cartridge 12. The
refrigerant passes through the cap 34 via the slots 68 formed
therein, through the filter 72, through the desiccant 30 enclosed
within the annular chamber 44 of the cup member 32, through the
filter 74 and exits the lower end 38 of the cup member 32 through
the holes 70 therein. After flowing through the desiccant cartridge
12, the refrigerant flows through the exit tube 24 and exits the
receiver/dryer assembly 10 through the outlet port 22 at the upper
end 16 of the canister 14.
[0042] During a preferred manufacturing sequence of the
receiver/dryer assembly 10, the canister 14 is first formed by an
impact forming process in which the upper end 16, exit tube 24 and
walls of the canister 14 are simultaneously formed. The desiccant
cartridge 12 is assembled separately by placing the lower filter 74
within the cup member 32 adjacent its lower end 38, and then
filling the cup member 32 with an appropriate amount of desiccant
30. Conventionally, the desiccant 30 will be dispensed into the
annular chamber 44 of the cup member 32 based on a predetermined
weight. Because the volume of the desiccant 30 can vary depending
on particle size, the fill level of the desiccant 30 within the cup
member 32 is prone to deviate from a predicted level.
[0043] Next, the upper filter 72 is positioned on top of the
desiccant 30, and the cap 34 is then inserted into the open upper
end 36 of the cup member 32 until resistance is met as the cap 34
and filter 72 contact the desiccant 30. Thereafter, the fingers 52
engage the interior surface 58 of the sidewall 40 of the cup member
32 to prevent the 34 cap from moving upward. Securing the cap 34 to
the cup member 32 in this manner completes the desiccant cartridge
12. Notably, the fingers 52 enable the cap 34 to be positioned
relative to the fill level of the desiccant 30 in the cup member 32
in a manner that minimizes the internal volume of the desiccant
cartridge 12 for the predetermined amount of desiccant 30 present.
Accordingly, the cap 34 physically restrains the desiccant 30
within the annular chamber 44 of the cup member 32 and prevents the
desiccant 30 from abrading itself.
[0044] To install the desiccant cartridge 12, the desiccant
cartridge 12 is placed in the canister 14 such that the exit tube
24 extends into and through the passage 60 formed by the tubular
portion 42 of the cup member 32. The desiccant cartridge 12 slides
onto the exit tube 24 as far toward the upper end 16 as possible.
Once the desiccant cartridge 12 is in position, a roll groove 62 is
formed in the wall 64 of the canister 14 to secure the desiccant
cartridge 12 within the canister 14. It should be noted that it
other mechanisms may also be used to secure desiccant cartridge 12
within the canister 14, including the use of a mechanical fastener
engaging the exit tube 24 and contacting the lower end 38 of the
desiccant cartridge 12.
[0045] Finally, the lower end 18 of the canister 14 is preferably
closed using a friction spin-closure technique of a type known in
the art. For this purpose, the initial length of the canister 14
must be longer than the desired finished length of the
receiver/dryer assembly 10, to allow for the formation of the
closed lower end 18. The canister 14 is typically chucked on a
spindle and then rotated about its longitudinal axis at a suitable
speed. An appropriate tool such as a spinning wheel is operated to
engage the initially open lower end 18 of the spinning canister 14
to displace the canister material radially inwardly to form the
integral closed lower end 18 shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] In accordance with a second embodiment of this invention, as
shown in FIG. 5, the apertures instead of being radial slots as
previously disclosed, may instead be circular apertures 78
extending transversely through the body 50 of the cap 34. Again,
the size of the circular apertures 78 is determined by the
desiccant size and refrigerant flow properties.
[0047] FIGS. 6-7 illustrates a third embodiment according to the
present invention wherein a plurality of fingers 80, having edges
or corners 82 located thereon, are positioned along a peripheral
edge of the central aperture 84. The fingers 80 function, as
disclosed previously, to secure the cap 34 in place within the cup
member 32. The primary difference is that instead of engaging the
interior surface 58 of the outer sidewall 40 of the cup member 32,
the fingers 80 engage an interior surface 86 (see FIG. 1) of the
tubular portion 42.
[0048] FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present
invention wherein in the recesses 90 between the fingers 92 located
on the outer periphery of the cap 34 are formed by upwardly
deflecting tabs 94 that extend perpendicular to the body 50 of the
cap 34. The tabs 94 cooperate and function together as a
cylindrical flange member that helps guide the cap 34 into and
within the open upper end 36 of the cup member 32. In addition, the
upwardly extending tabs 94 assist in maintaining the orientation of
the cap 34. For example, since the tabs 94 are transverse the body
50, the tabs 94 help orient the cap 34 roughly transverse the
longitudinal axis of the tubular portion 42 to maintain a uniform
thickness or distribution of the desiccant 30 within the annular
chamber 44 of the cup member 32.
[0049] The present invention may also be used with an accumulator
or dehydrator used in an automotive air conditioning system.
Typically, the accumulator is placed downstream of an evaporator
and receives a partially vaporized refrigerant fluid that enters
the accumulator at a relatively low pressure. The accumulator
operates to ensure that only vapor refrigerant, not liquid
refrigerant, flows to the compressor. In order that the vapor
refrigerant be moisture free the accumulator typically includes a
desiccant for dehydrating the vapor refrigerant prior to passage to
the compressor. Accordingly, the present invention of a desiccant
cartridge may be used within the accumulator to remove moisture and
contaminants from the vaporized refrigerant prior before it flows
to the compressor.
[0050] While the present invention has been described in terms of a
preferred embodiment, it is apparent that other forms could be
adopted by one skilled in the art. In other words, the teachings of
the present invention encompass any reasonable substitutions or
equivalents of claim limitations. Accordingly, the scope of the
present invention is limited only by the following claims.
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